Group discussion techniques in a technical course

The author explains his use of the group discussion method of teaching in a technical course. The use of group discussion presented here was developed to solve a problem in EET 311, Biomedical Electrical Systems, a junior/senior elective in introductory medical instrumentation. Results have been good. The average grades in the two semesters the group projects have been used are up 13% over the semesters in which the standard lecture techniques were used. The enthusiasm generated in the group portion of the course carries over into the rest of the course, with increased classroom participation by the members of the class